Skepchick Quickies, 10.8

Nepal appoints 3-year-old as new living goddess: “Critics say the tradition violates both international and Nepalese laws on child rights. The girls often struggle to readjust to normal lives after they return home. Nepalese folklore holds that men who marry a former kumari will die young, and so many girls remain unmarried and face a life of hardship.”

A BoingBoing reader offers a solution to that Saudi cleric’s problem of women walking around with two eyes exposed: “I suggest that you introduce veils for men that cover both their eyes. That way it will make no difference if the women are winking, blinking or, heaven forbid, naked. Good idea, no? Youâ€™re welcome.”

@mxracer652: It can be very detrimental to be a young unmarried woman in a deeply traditional and not particularly economically advantaged country. The resources and social support she would need to take care of herself simply wouldn’t exist.

Normally I don’t think the skeptical community should take its cues from the christian community. But after this I just can’t resist. I think skeptics should start holding naturist meetings. SITP Naturist.

@mxracer652: Not to mention (in addition to Jen’s points) that there’s a big difference between choosing to remain unmarried and being forced to remain unmarried, whether it’s due to laws or, as in this case, to superstition.

The russian priest story: hypocrisy at its best! How can one use the internet and have a russian passport BUT not allow members of your congregation to do the same? This makes no sense. He’s not pulling off the luddite schtick very well.

@MarlowePI:Nobody “chooses” or is “forced” into their relationship/marital status (talking western society here). Not including obviously fucked up anti gay discrimination laws, we all can think of many people who are “forced” to remain unmarried/uncoupled because of their inherent shortcomings as viewed by poential mates.

What does it matter if these shortcomings are based in superstition or societal expectations? Both are artificial.